The fruit of
the nutmeg tree,
it is strongly
aromatic and
used in a range
of curries, but
mostly found in
yellow curry
pastes.
Nutmeg boosts
male libido,
according to
research at
Aligarh
University in
India.
CINNAMON
Based on the
inner bark of an
evergreen tree,
the spice has a
fragrant smell
and a sweet,
aromatic taste,
and is found in
almost all
curries.
Research shows
it can
significantly
lower
blood-sugar
levels in
patients with
diabetes. In a
study at the
U.S. Human
Nutrition
Research Centre,
men and women
with the more
common type 2
diabetes were
given cinnamon
powder daily.
Results show
that blood-sugar
levels dropped
by up to 20 per
cent compared to
a control group.
Just how it
works is not
clear, but one
theory is that a
polyphenol in
the spice called
MHCP works like
insulin.
FENNEL
From the same
family as
parsley and
carrot, fennel
has a sweet,
liquorice smell
and is used in
curries.
According to a
study at Kerman
University of
Medicine, Iran,
it is a powerful
pain reliever.
In a trial for
period paid, a
group of young
women given
fennel for two
months had a
significant
reduction in
symptoms.
The herb has
also been used
to ease
indigestion and
symptoms of
bronchitis
CHILLI
They can prevent
or heal stomach
ulcers,
according to
researchers, who
say there has
been a
misconception
that eating a
lot of chillies
is bad for the
stomach and that
curries and
other hot food
cause heartburn,
indigestion and
ulcers. They
found that
chillies block
acid production
and improve
blood flow in
stomach tissue,
which helps in
both the
prevention and
healing of
ulcers.
Other research
shows gastric
ulcers are three
times less
common in
countries where
large amounts of
chillies are
eaten, and that
chillies burn up
more calories
and fat than
other
spices.
GINGER
A study at Kyoto
Pharmaceutical
University in
Japan shows that
it lowers the
risk of stomach
ulcers, while
University of
Miami
researchers have
used it to
reduce the pain
of knee
osteoarthritis.
'Standardised
ginger extract
had a
statistically
significant
effect on
reducing
symptoms,'
scientists
reported.
CARDAMOM
The dried fruit
of a member of
the ginger
family, Cardamom
has a pungent,
aromatic
flavour.
Research at the
Central Food
Technological
Research
Institute in
India shows that
it can have
antibloodclotting
effects.
They tested
blood samples
and found that
the greater the
amount of spice
used, the fewer
clotting
problems there
were.
The
spice is also
used in
traditional
medicine for a
variety of
conditions,
including sore
throats,
indigestion and
stomach
problems.
CURRY LEAVES
Fresh curry
leaves, from the
Murraya koenigii
plant, are
highly aromatic.
A key ingredient
of Madras curry,
they are also
used in other
dishes.